NZDF air and maritime assets combine for successful search and rescue operation south of Tonga

The New Zealand Defence Force has combined its maritime and air assets to conduct a search and rescue operation for two men drifting in a wooden boat 105 nautical miles south of Tonga.

19 February, 2026

The two men were located by a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon yesterday morning and were then recovered on board the Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Canterbury last night.

The P-8A had been en route to conduct maritime surveillance operations for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the South West Pacific when it was diverted to conduct the search for the missing boat.

Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre requested the aircraft crew search for the boat after it was reported overdue.

The crew on board the 11.5-metre wooden boat named Mysterious Wonder were reported to have left Tongatapu, Tonga on 8 February. Authorities were notified on Tuesday that the vessel was missing.

Photos taken from a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon while the aircraft maintained overwatch during the rescue operation last night by HMNZS Canterbury

A Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat was launched from Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Canterbury to rescue the sailors at night.

The vessel ‘Mysterious Wonder’ sighted from the Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon.

A Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat was launched from Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Canterbury to rescue two men from the vessel ‘Mysterious Wonder’ south of Tonga.

The P-8A crew flew to Fiji to base overnight before starting the search Wednesday morning. They found the boat at 10.15am. The call then went out to HMNZS Canterbury to rescue the men and bring them to safety.

Commander Wayne Andrew, the Commanding Officer of HMNZS Canterbury, said the ship launched a sea boat, rescuing the two men late yesterday evening.

“This was an excellent combined effort to locate and rescue the crew members,” he said.

“The P-8A crew did a fantastic job locating the vessel in a large search area about 105 nautical miles south of Tonga. We were fortunate to be in a position to be able to assist the two men.”

HMNZS Canterbury recently completed a successful trip to Tokelau supporting Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro to mark the centenary of New Zealand administration of Tokelau. The ship was en route to the Kermadec Islands before it turned around to assist with the rescue.

The two men were flown to Tonga this morning on a RNZAF NH90 helicopter embarked on HMNZS Canterbury.

The ship will today resume passage to Raoul Island, to assist MetService and Earth Sciences New Zealand personnel to carry out upgrade and maintenance tasks of critical weather, tsunami and volcano monitoring equipment and facilities.

Photos taken from a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon while the aircraft maintained overwatch during the rescue operation last night by HMNZS Canterbury.